Detroit Rocks the Vote: Chuck D

(Credit: Walter Leaphart)

For more than two decades the multi-platinum award-winning music group Public Enemy has used hip-hop as a tool to inspire young people to come together and cross racial, cultural and socioeconomic lines. On Wednesday, the co-founder of the iconic rap group plans to harness that same influence with hopes to challenge the youth and, ultimately, mobilize Detroiters to go out and vote this November.

Chuck D will be the headlining keynote speaker where more than a dozen local and national musical artists -- ranging from rappers to garage rock bands – will share the common stage and goal at the Fillmore Detroit to perform during the MTV sponsored “Rocks the Vote” tour.

Chuck D will give a presentation on the importance of voting and how young people can be the determining voice in the upcoming 2008 general election.

Rock the Vote is a non-partisan, non-profit organization initiative started by the entertainment network in 1990 aimed at using the influence of music and youth culture as a way to encourage young people between the ages of 18-29 to be informed participants in American democracy. Representatives from both major political parties will be on hand as well as volunteers who will register voters in the concert hall.

Lisa Grace, the events director for African American Family magazines, the local organization producing the Detroit portion of the vote tour, says she views the event as a “celebration of the electoral process” and expects a huge representation of young people -- both Democrat and Republican -- to go to the polls.

“From the environment to the economy, the decision on which (presidential) candidate they choose will affect the country for years to come,” Grace says. “This is one of the most important elections in our lifetime.”

Chuck D is no stranger to politics or issues impacting young voters. In addition to being a highly-sought lecturer on college campuses ranging from Harvard to Howard, he is also the national spokesperson for Rock the Vote and host of On Tha Real, a socio-music, political talk show that airs on the Air-America Radio Network. He has also made appearances on CNN, Fox News and HBO.   

Metromix had an opportunity to talk with Chuck D about the 2008 presidential election and the obligation young Americans have to vote.  

What made you want to be involved with the Rock the Vote initiative?
Young people are told in society they can go get a drink or go to the club. I think there are efforts out to get their money but not enough going on to elevate their minds, to tell them “you have a voice.” I’ve been doing this for about 19 years.

Why do you feel it is important for young people to participate in the election process?
Voting is something you are supposed to do when you’re grown. It’s a process that people have fought for, died for. You may not want to but it’s something you’ve got to do. It’s like waking up and washing your ass in the morning, something you’ve got to do.

Technically, Rock the Vote is listed as a non-partisan project but some consider MTV to be a liberal-leaning network. Is the Rock the Vote campaign truly non partisan or an attempt to register more potential left-wing voters?
It’s not about Democrat or Republican. To me, the two-party system is old, played out and archaic; it’s more about getting people involved. We’ve got to unite to get a new idea across.  

It seems no matter who is elected president, both candidates are promising new ideas and change. What change or new idea would you like to see the next president lead America in?
Trying to get America to fit in with the rest of the world instead of being on its own tip. Now I live here. I’m a citizen here but America has to work with the rest of the world and realize it’s not about our rules.

At the end of this election history will be made with either having the first African-American president or the first woman serving as vice president. In your opinion, is America ready for a black man as president or a woman within a heartbeat of leading the country?
I don’t think (America) is ready but it’s one of these inevitable things people have to fight for.

 
The Detroit Rocks the Vote tour starts at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Fillmore Detroit. The highlighted musicians and entertainers include Anthony David, The Volebeats, Jessica Care Moore, The Go, Nadir, Deastro and The Muggs. Detroit hip-hop artist Black Milk will perform with Elzhi, Phat Kat and Guilty Simpson to close the set. The music performed during the event is non-partisan. Tickets to the event costs $20 and are available at the Fillmore or www.ticketmaster.com